Axford was non-tendered by the Cardinals on December 2 and has drawn interest from a number of teams, including the Orioles, Cubs, and Mariners. The right-hander should be expected to close, while Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw remain in their eighth-inning roles. Axford had lost his role as closer with the Brewers to Jim Henderson, and the Brewers eventually traded Axford to the Cardinals for Michael Blazek at the end of August, so it will be compelling to see if he can bounce back in the ninth inning.

He can be good, and he can be frustrating to watch when his fastball is flat and down the middle with no movement.

He’s involved in the community, spent some time with our little league last year teaching them how to pitch as kids. That was after his demotion. He doesn’t have to do those things, but he does. My son still talks about that experience. I have never heard him complain about his role, his teammates and certainly not fans.